College Fair 2023

Leaflets and brochures softly rustle as they are passed from hand to hand, the sound mingling with the intellectual hubbub. Hopeful students meander through an imposing labyrinth of colourful stands. Some of them are determined, with a dedicated glint in their eyes and an aura of confidence emanating from their presence; a few look almost fearful, slightly intimidated by the life-changing decisions they know are soon to come. 

 

Regardless of whether you were there to discuss your future or simply to gather an impressive collection of colourfully branded pens and stickers, it was certainly a day to remember. 

 

On Thursday, October 5th, we saw the grandiose commencement of the annual Greengates College Fair - the third largest in Latin America! Over 80 highly respected institutions from 13 different countries eagerly conglomerated in the Greengates sports hall to pass on their passion for learning to future generations. A vast majority of the universities present originated in the United States, with notorious names such as the University of California, San Diego, and University of Washington. Shifting our focus further up north, Canada likewise provided a plethora of institutes, such as the infamous McGill and University of British Columbia, to name a few. 

 

As per Mr. Diaz’s instructions, students started their meticulous preparation a few weeks in advance. In order to make efficient use of their time on the day, they were advised to look at the websites of their colleges of interest and research potential career fields. Additionally, it was recommended to compile a list of specific, relevant questions to ensure that no possible queries were forgotten in the midst of the excitement. 

 

It is important to have universities from a range of global areas, as each country has its own application process, candidate requirements, strong subjects or professional areas, and overall experience. For example, some students came to the conclusion that the UK is more favourable when applying for medicine, as they don’t require a pre-med program (like in the US) and the length of study is shorter. 

 

Likewise, similar events occurred later on, starting with the small presentation of prestigious Ivy League schools at the American School Foundation. Students and parents interested in Harvard, Brown, Georgetown, Penn, and Duke were presented with the opportunity to attend the extremely informative evening. Well-versed representatives of the institutions provided valuable insight into their admissions processes, presenting a general overview of their respective colleges and suggestions on how to stand out as a candidate. A one-on-one question and answer session followed, where the representatives were able to answer more personal, burning questions the students may have had. 

 

Furthermore, on the chilly morning of October 17, a mini-college fair of US colleges was held on the benches near the field, including Bard College and Michigan State University. This session proved extremely useful to students who are interested in studying in the US, having provided them with the opportunity to gain further insight into scholarship opportunities or student life not just within the individual colleges but in the country as a whole.